“As a farmer, J Allen Carnes has the knowledge for the job. As a father, he has the strength of character to fight for Texas families,” Ryan said in a press release issued Wednesday.

Carnes, a Republican who owns Winter Garden Produce, is facing off against former state Reps. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, and Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, Austin-based lawyer Eric Opiela and former Railroad Commission candidate Joe Cotten in the March 4 primary.

The Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday that Ryan is returning to the Houston Astros as a special assistant to owner Jim Crane, general manager Jeff Luhnow and his son Reid Ryan, who’s the president of business operations.